BELMONT UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE PRESENTS
BY HENRY LEWIS, JONATHAN SAYER, & HENRY SHIELDS
Artistic & Management Team Director: Sean Martin Assistant Director: Ayden Sharp Producer: Brent Maddox
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Logan Molloy
Amy Syverson*
Technical Director
Set Design
Jerry Stratton
Paul Gatrell
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Amber Whatley
Jaxon Mann
Costume Design
Properties Design
Jessica Mueller
Becca McSweeny
Fight Choreographer Eric Pasto– Crosby
Cast
Annie…………………………………………….Ella Batogowski Chris……………………………………………….Hayden Jones* Dennis……………………………….........................Eve Helak* Jonathan…………………....................................Daniel Schurz Max……………………………………….Jack William Johnson* Robert…………………………………………….Finn McGinnis Sandra…………………………………………...Victoria Herda* Trevor……………………………………………….Kylie Sumner
Swings Jack Freedman, Logan Plowman, Paige Hardy, Summer Clark *indicates member of APO
Production Run Crew Front of House Staff……………………………….…………………………………………...Delaney Duffy Sadie Jensen Molly Ryan William Simmons
Costume Shop Manager………………………………. ………………………………………. Jessica Mueller Wardrobe Supervisor……………………………….............................................................Sam Riesenberg* Wardrobe Crew……………………………………………………………………………………..Hope Kobus Claire Shipman Light Board Op ……………………………………………………………………………….Shelby McDonald Sound Board Op ………………………………………………………………………………..Alexus Hopkins Deck Chief ………………………………………………………………………………………Alex McDonald Eli Bell* Run Crew Alaylah Akins, Ellie Anderson, Kate Crowley, Luke Bouchard, Kamaria McGinn, Sofia Mazzella, Zoe Zink, Genesis Biondi, Ceirra Burdyck, Grace Klimcyzk, Molly Knipp, Nicolette Manrique, Riley McConnell, Brianna Nolan
*indicates member of APO
Production Staff Light Crew Jacob Bellis
Sadie Jensen
Joshua Becker
Eva Milligan
Luis Silva
Kylie Sumner
Paige Hardy
Finn McGinnis
Set Crew Alaylah Akins
Ellie Anderson
Eli Bell*
Luke Bouchard
Ceirra Burdyck*
Kate Crowley
Molly Knipp
Sofia Mazzella
Riley McConnell
Alex McDonald
Kamaria McGinn
Zoe Zink
Ella Batagowski*
Summer Clark
Victoria Herda*
Hayden Jones*
Grace Kilmcyzk
Evan Needs
Logan Plowman
Em Mills*
Zachary Ligasan
Erin Rene Luft
Daniel Schurz
Ayden Sharp
Caroline Silander
Margaret Feduccia
Reagan Lane
Stefani Mather
Charlie Nelson*
Celeste Eurales
Mari Hannah
Anna Hoey
Catherine Moore
Hannah Smith
Tateiona Watson
Costume Crew Abby McCurdy*
Hope Kobus
Sam Riesenberg*
Claire Shipman
Props Crew Becca McSweeney Nicolette Manrique
Brianna Nolan*
Josilyn Seftchick
*indicates member of APO
Rachel Phinney
A Note From the Director Over the last decade a new company has taken the theatre world completely by storm. Mischief Theatre began as a small improv troupe formed in the UK by students just looking to work after completing their degrees. Since then, they have gone on to create one of the most successful comedy groups known today. They have created numerous shows in what has now become known as the “Goes Wrong” genre as well as creating a successful television version for the BBC which ran for two seasons. After a certain celebrity audience member, J.J. Abrams came to see their work in 2014, they brought their work across the pond with two hugely successful Broadway runs (The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong), and a third (The Mind Mangler) on its way in November. Loosely based on the work of Le Coq and clown, they call their style of comedy “ridiculous escapism.” I think you will soon see just how accurate that little description is. Interestingly enough, this specific play also represents a fairly special full circle moment for me. I was lucky enough to be a fellow student of those mentioned above when I attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. I was in the classroom with Henry, Henry, Jonathan and numerous other Mischief members as I saw these characters and ideas develop. I was able to cheer them on as they did it for the first time as a one act in a little off-west end pub theatre. I have followed their career with pure joy and could not be happier for the entire Mischief team. Now, being able to share that experience and knowledge with my own students has been an absolute blast as we explore the fascinating world of improv and clown. Lastly, the world can often feel dark and overwhelming. Sometimes what we need more than anything else is to just laugh our faces off. Not all plays have to be super deep with lots of hidden meanings. Somethings are just for the joy and silliness of it all. There is a reason someone once said that laughter is the best medicine. It just is. My hope for all of you over the course of the next two hours is that you can let go of any worries or stress and just allow happiness and joy to take control. Thanks for joining us tonight, and welcome, to Haversham Manor.
SPECIAL THANKS DR. STEPHEN EAVES FRIENDS OF THE ARTS AT BELMONT
To the many students, alumni, family, and friends who, out of the kindness of their hearts, donated their time and labor to helping us complete this monster of a set, we are forever in your debt. Thank you from the bottom of all of our hearts. We would not have been able get this show up without you.
ARTISTIC AND MANAGEMENT TEAM SEAN MARTIN (DIRECTOR) Sean is a director, actor, and educator with over twenty years of professional experience. His work has been seen across the US, as well as throughout the UK and Europe. Sean currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Belmont University. He holds graduate degrees in both acting and directing from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and a BFA in Theatre from Abilene Christian University. Additionally, Sean is a certified Stage Combatant with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. Recent directing credits include: A Doll's House, Godspell, The Nina Variations, The Man of Mode, Yankee Tavern (Belmont University); Dancing at Lughnasa (Trevecca Nazarene University); Richard II (Nashville Shakespeare Festival in association with Lipscomb University); After the End, Top Girls (Vanderbilt University); Keepsake (Old Red Lion Theatre); Frankenstein, The Cherry Orchard (Drayton Arms Theatre); A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard II, The Man of Mode (LAMDA); Two Rooms, Samuel Beckett Your Ride is Here (Linbury Studio Theatre, London); Verloren Herinneringen (De Acteers Studio, The Hague); Touched (Tricycle Theatre, London and UK Tour) Scenes from - Fear and Misery, Breathing Corpses, Country Music, and The Lonesome West (Royal Court Theatre Gala, London). AVSTR AYDEN SHARP (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR) Ayden Sharp is a Sophomore at Belmont University and is getting her BFA in Theatre Directing. This is her first time assistant directing a production at Belmont. She was very involved in theatre at her high school in Nicholasville, Kentucky. She worked on many productions there, both on and off the stage. These productions include, "Grease", “Our Town”, “The Sound of Music”, “All Together Now”, and more. LOGYN MOLLOY (STAGE MANAGER) is a junior Theatre Directing student at Belmont University. At Belmont, she has previously assistant directed A Doll’s House, assistant stage-managed Love’s Labors Lost in collaboration with the Nashville Shakespeare Festival and directed 4 A.M for the Directing II One Acts Festival. She is currently working on some original play scripts to one day be performed and is also going to be directing one of the Junior Short Plays in February of 2024.
AMY SYVERSON (ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER) Amy Syverson is a sophomore BFA theatre Directing and Production Design double major. This is her third production at Belmont. Past credits at Belmont include: The Aviator (Stage Manager) and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Assistant Director, Ensemble, Swing). Amy has stage managed, acted, taught, and directed for multiple companies and has worked with Belmont University, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Emerald Coast Theatre Company, and Future Stars Theatre Company. In her hometown, Amy served for the International Thespian Student Leadership Committee for two years and had March declared as “Theatre in Our Schools Month” in Okaloosa County.
CAST ELLA BATAGOWSKI (ANNIE) is a sophomore BFA Theater Performance major. Her previous Belmont credits include: (Annabel Glick) in “Lucky Stiff”. Other credits include (Hope) “Urinetown”, (Katherine) in “Freaky Friday”, and (Rona) in “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. HAYDEN JONES (CHRIS) Credits Include: Buddy Layman, The Diviners (Belmont University); Young Man, Kodachrome (Belmont University); Ben/Mark Swing, Things I Know to be True (Actors Bridge); Speaker Seth Walker, 36 (Belmont University); Deer/Ferdinand & Longaville Swing, Love’s Labor’s Lost (Belmont University & Nashville Shakes); Willie Clark, The Sunshine Boys (Francis Parker Drama); Ulrin of Daemos, The Golden Kettle (Belmont University); O’Brien, 1984 (Trinity DOTA). Hayden has also been involved as either an actor, director, or writer in 14 other productions. He is now a Senior at Belmont University, where he will receive his BFA in Theatre Performance. EVE HELAK (DENISE/PERKINS) ) is a Senior Theater Performance Major at Belmont University. Some of her credits include; Christine, A Doll’s House (Belmont University), Lorna Bea, Lorna Bea and her ADHD (Belmont University), Molly Sattler, The Golden Kettle (Belmont University), Witch, Macbeth (Belmont University), Elle Woods, Legally Blonde (Lubbock Community Theater), and Cinderella, Into the Woods (Moonlight Musicals). Not only is she an actress, but she has worked as an Assistant Director and Social Media Manager for GreenHouse Ensemble Theater in New York City.
DANIEL SCHURZ (JONATHAN) is a transfer Junior here at Belmont University currently working on his bachelor's in fine arts with a concentration in Performance. He has recently performed on the same stage in a rendition of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labors Lost as the illustrious Senior Don Adriano de Armado and in the devised piece, Aviator, as George Putnam. JACK WILLIAM JOHNSON (MAX) is a junior BFA Theatre Performance major from Bigfork, Montana, making his return to the Belmont mainstage. Credits include: Carlos de Vil, Descendants: The Musical (ATP); Buddy the Elf, Elf: The Musical (BPCT); Cousin Steve, The Good Times are Killing Me (Belmont); Tony Hendon, Lucky Stiff (Belmont). FINN MCGINNIS (ROBERT) ) is a BFA Theater Performance Major from Athens, Ga. Previous roles include Luigi Gaudi, Lucky Stiff ( Belmont University) as well as Nathan Detroit , Guys and Dolls( Prince Avenue Christian School). VICTORIA HERDA (SANDRA) ) is a senior Theatre Performance Major at Belmont University. Some of her
previous credits include: Muriel Earhart in The Aviator (Belmont University), Ensemble in Living in the Light (Belmont University), Ali in Mamma Mia! (Buffalo Community Theatre), Sven Ferret in Lorna Bea and Her ADHD (Belmont University), Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web (Buffalo Community Theatre), and Captain Lane in The White Rose Pirates (Belmont University). Victoria also recently spent her spring semester in New York with Belmont East where she worked as the Stage Manager for the Greenhouse Ensemble Theater. KYLIE SUMNER (TRACY) is a sophomore BFA Theatre Performance major. Her pervious Belmont credits include: (Rita La Porta) in "Lucky Stiff" and the understudy of (Lucy Atkins) in “The Good Times are Killing Me". Other credits include: (Ariel) in “Footloose”, (Portia) in “Something Rotten”, and (Olive) in “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. JACK FREEDMAN (CHRIS/MAX u/s) is a freshman Theatre Arts B.A. and Audio Engineering Technology major, and while this is his first production here at Belmont, his past shows include Puffs, Our Country’s Good, and Endlings. Jack is extremely excited to perform in his first Belmont show. LOGAN PLOWMAN (ROBERT/JONATHAN u/s) is a sophomore in the theatre department at Belmont University. He is a BFA Performance major and is excited to be involved in his first main stage production. He has previously been involved in the 2023 Junior Short Plays and Directing II One-Act Festival last spring. PAIGE HARDY (SANDRA/ANNIE u/s) ) is a Freshman theater performance major this year. This is her first show at Belmont University. Some of her past roles at Independence High School included Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Rose in a one act play adaption of Badger. SUMMER CLARK (DENISE/TRACY u/s) is a freshman at Belmont University with a BFA in theatre performance. This is her first production with the theatre department. Some of her recent roles include, Scarlet (Clue), Emily (Our Town), Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), and Shelby (Steel Magnolias).
Upcoming Events in the Department of Theatre And Dance 2023 – 2024 Season A Wrinkle in Time Tracy Young Directed By Carla Lahey Nov 10th - Nov 18th Black Box Theater MOVING Stories A Dance Composition Showcase Directed by Debbie Belue December 2 & 3 Troutt Theater
BLUE Stockings Jessica Swale Directed by jane duncan February 20-25, 2024 Troutt Theater Hamlet devised Directed by Jim al-shamma April 5-13, 2024 Black box theater Mixed bill XX Directed by Debbie belue April 12– 14,, 2024 Fisher center